Though they’re not fully understood, they’re thought to be involved in how we perceive pain and pleasure ( 2).įor example, endorphins are released during painful experiences, such as when you sprain your ankle, to temporarily relieve pain and discomfort. While various forms of endorphins exist, beta-endorphins are the most studied and known for their pain-relieving effects ( 1, 2). Interestingly, the term endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” meaning from the body, and “morphine, an opiate pain reliever. They’re a type of neurotransmitter - and in some cases, they’re thought to be hormones, too - that act on opiate receptors to alleviate pain and promote feelings of pleasure ( 1, 2). They’re mostly controlled and released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland ( 1, 2). What are endorphins and what purpose do they serve?Įndorphins, also known as endogenous opioids, are groups of protein chains called peptides.
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